A Moveable Feast: What Are You Leaving For Santa?

Aside from the traditional plate of cookies, some households planned to leave Santa gourmet surprises that would land most people on the naughty list at the local gym.

Larry CroweAP

Originally published on December 24, 2012 1:53 pm

Milk and cookies might be the traditional Santa offering on Christmas Eve, but in at least one household, St. Nicholas will be getting smoked salmon and scotch.

It's just one out-of-the-ordinary example we gleaned from a call out to fans of NPR's Facebook page. Many of them involved a different sort of Christmas "spirit" — the kind that could push Mr. Claus over the legal limit, at least during the U.S. leg of his annual aerial circumnavigation.

Many seem to think Santa likes a good stout. Aliceann Marquiess of Ponca City, Okla., writes that she might leave a Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout along with a "plate of homemade pumpkin bread with cream cheese icing." Hilary Sears of St. Louis plans to set out Guinness and cookies, as does Nicola Kerr Auchampach of Boise, Idaho.

In other households, it's the hard stuff. Bourbon, brandy, rum-soaked fruitcake, eggnog with a little Bushmills Irish Whiskey and a Don Julio tequila margarita (with a side order of fish tacos and guacamole) were among the treats.

Other holiday offerings may well reflect changing attitudes toward overall health and weight gain. While obesity statistics for certain jolly North Pole residents are difficult to come by, awareness of skyrocketing rates in much of the world — and the U.S. in particular – no doubt inspired some choices. Jennifer Farney's hopelessly healthful "gluten-free oatmeal cookies with chocolate and toffee" and Shawn Powell's "homemade vegan candy cane cookies and almond milk" were just a few.

Then there's the 6-inch turkey sub from Subway and a Dr. Pepper from Mae Hochstetler's household in Kenmore, Wash.

Santa's team seems to be getting mostly healthful snacks this year. Carrots seem to be the traditional choice for reindeer, no doubt contributing to their excellent night vision (Rudolph notwithstanding). Other households planned to leave out apples and even raw rutabaga.